Over the years, I have been accused of various things, including being a nice, gentle, and kind guy. I’ve been told I don’t “look like a Krav Maga instructor,” that I don’t deliberately hurt my students, and similar remarks. All this makes me smile; it reflects more on the accusers than on me.
My mission is to protect you—not to hurt, humiliate, insult, or belittle, but to uplift you. I have dedicated many years to this purpose.
It’s disheartening when ego gets in the way of genuine training. Jealousy and arrogance can obstruct progress, and I’ve witnessed this behavior far too often.
Today, I received a voice message from a man who is no longer young and certainly not the Krav Maga “model” used for advertising, but a real man. He recounted an attack where he faced fists, kicks, knives, and multiple assailants. His very act of reaching out means he survived. Not only did he survive; he defended himself effectively. He shared simply, “This stuff works, Gerard.” Once again, the IKI techniques have proven themselves in a real-life situation. This isn’t about my appearance or demeanor. I may not fit the conventional mold, and I’m no longer in my prime, but I am an instructor—a skilled one, focused on results.
Many schools promote “Reality Martial Arts” or “Reality Training,” but what do they truly offer? By design or accident, they attract tough-guy wannabes looking for a bit of roughhousing on weekends—weekend warriors. But is that reality, or is it just a façade?
In my classes, I conduct reality drills where students simulate everyday situations—waiting for a bus, waiting for the light to change, or sitting at home reading a newspaper. Initially, they question why we don’t jump straight into techniques. The purpose is reality training.
This is reality—being bored, waiting for life to unfold. In real life, you could be at an ATM or waiting for a light when an attack occurs. Yet in many “Reality” schools, muscular figures dominate the scene, shouting things like, “You’re gonna eat lightning, you’re gonna crap thunder!” However, we are not preparing for a heavyweight bout; we are training for the unpredictable realities of the street.
We train in reality, while most schools simply focus on “Reality Martial Arts.” Recognize the difference.
Everything we teach has been tested with full force and resistance worldwide, against all kinds of opponents. Many of our techniques have proven effective in real-life encounters involving firearms, knives, and unarmed confrontations. IKI has showcased its value to the world.
The naysayers are a mere reflection of their limitations—individuals who struggle to elevate themselves, so they attempt to cut others down. Our lineage continues to flourish, and every student who walks home safely after a violent encounter is a champion in our eyes. That is our true victory! Today, we celebrate another champion, and we beam with pride, grateful for their survival.